I recently finished a 40-day devotional by Jen Pollock Michel titled A Habit Called Faith. Each devotional reading is paired with Scripture, taking the reader through most of Deuteronomy and the entire Gospel of John. The book includes discussion questions and a chapter from the above Scriptures to read each day. I typically do not … Continue reading Cultivating a Habit Called Faith: A Devotional Resource
Disappointment is a common experience for us all. We will never escape feelings of disappointment in this earthly life. Disappointment can cause us to respond in both helpful and hurtful ways. For example, have you yourself--or do you know someone--who has experienced a disappointment that led them into a major shift in life or even … Continue reading Key Realizations for When We’re Disappointed with God
In our walk with God, we will experience conviction from God when we sin as He lovingly leads us. However, we may also experience condemnation, which—for believers—does not come from God. Conviction and condemnation are sometimes difficult to differentiate. When we mistake condemnation for conviction, it can cause discouragement, shame and guilt to hinder our … Continue reading Is This Conviction or Is It Condemnation?
Like me, have you ever struggled with putting feeling over faith, over simply choosing to trust God and obey? Do you ever find yourself forgetting the truth of God’s Word in those moments, especially when times are hard or God seems absent? It isn’t easy, balancing our feelings along with our faith. God certainly made … Continue reading Faith Not Feelings: Letting God’s Word Define Us
Last Updated: July 23, 2020 Have you ever heard the saying, ”fear is the opposite of faith?” It’s very commonly taught, but believe it or not, it’s not exactly true. Why is that? First we must define faith and fear to determine whether they are opposite each other or even in the same category. Defining … Continue reading Fear Is Not the Opposite of Faith
To the one who deals with anxiety: Though you feel fearful or anxious, do not beat yourself up. Don't condemn yourself. Feeling a certain emotion does not mean you have committed sin. Anxiety is not a sin. By itself, an emotion we feel is is not a sin. Feelings arise in us, often outside of … Continue reading Encouragement for the Anxious: Your Emotions Are Not Sin
Last Updated: July 2, 2020 Perhaps you’ve experienced seasons where you were feeling very little, or even nothing at all, in your walk with God. You may even feel this way now: numb, empty and wondering why. I’ve been in such a season myself and most likely every disciple of Christ has experienced such frustrations. … Continue reading God’s Answer When We Feel Nothing
In caring dearly for us, Father God often brings loving surprises. When we feel weak, He shows up in unexpected ways to reveal His tender love. With His presence He lifts us out of ourselves, drawing us into a heavenly embrace. He reminds us that He is all-powerful yet fully loving. Through every season of … Continue reading God Is Faithful: He Fights for You
If you have left the faith or the church, Jesus wants you to know how much He loves you and cares for you. Beloved, He is right there, still loving you and working all things out for your good--even if you have gone as far as to completely turn from not just Christianity but Him … Continue reading To Those Who Have Left: He Loves You
Last Updated: April 3, 2022 When we come face to face with unanswered prayers and unfulfilled dreams, we must proceed with caution. We may find ourselves wondering why God has not answered, yet we must not give up. We must also not allow self-pity to coat our lives with heaviness. Nor should we focus on … Continue reading In the Waiting: Unanswered Prayer and Unfulfilled Dreams
Last Updated: June 15, 2020 Are you afraid of God’s judgment or punishment? You do not have to be scared of God's wrath. He desires to show you His love and mercy, not His wrath. Many believers and unbelievers alike fear that God is an angry entity waiting to strike them down at the first … Continue reading Are You Afraid of God’s Judgment? How God Shows Us Mercy and Love
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." … Continue reading God Desires to Bless Us
Read an updated version of this post here. Like me, do you ever find yourself searching for feelings and experiences of God, at times forgetting the truth of God's Word in the moment? I know I have been there, wanting to feel something when God wants me to simply trust, believe and obey. Of course … Continue reading Faith Is Not Feeling
God has been teaching me how to 'take Him at His Word' no matter how I'm feeling. I am learning to remind myself that even when I'm feeling one way or another, it doesn't mean that these emotions line up with reality. I recently finished a book that a friend gave to me as a … Continue reading Taking God at His Word
Inspiring Passion for Jesus Christ 